On Friday, March 20 (2PM CST), Illinois Extension will partner with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) to offer Local Government Education webinar Connect Illinois – Broadband Infrastructure Funding: Pt. 4 - Budget Template and more (including grant period timeline update re: COVID-19), presented by Matt Schmit, Deputy Director for Broadband, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Office of Broadband.

The Illinois Office of Broadband recently opened the application window for the first $50 million in funding through the country’s largest competitive matching grant program, Connect Illinois, which will funnel a total of $420 million to extend critical high-speed internet access to homes, businesses, and community anchor institutions throughout the state. In collaboration with Illinois Extension, the office will continue to host a series of webinars to help potential applicants and other stakeholders understand the Connect Illinois program and the current funding round. A recording of the Connect Illinois Grant Program for Broadband Infrastructure (Part 1, 2, and 3) are available to view at https://extension.illinois.edu/global/local-government-education-archives

The fourth and final webinar session will focus on the budget template, including how applicants should account for eligible state, non-state, and total project expenses. The session also will overview key aspects of the grant process and discuss the potential impact of COVID-19 on the grant program timeline. Q and A to follow.

You can register for this FREE webinar online at University of Illinois Extension website: https://extension.illinois.edu/global/local-government-education